Weston soccer runs out to 9-1-1 start

The Weston boys soccer team is as balanced of a squad as you will find, but it all starts with the Maxes in the middle.

Weston is off to a 9-1-1 start and a big reason why is the play of senior captains Max Hutton and Max Weiss in the midfield.

Hutton is the center holding midfielder and Weiss is the attacking center midfielder and together they control the middle of the pitch as well as any combination in the state.

Hutton leads the defense, linking it up with the midfield.

“Max Hutton is our holder midfielder. He basically puts a screen in front of the defense. Anything in the air, he’s going to win it,” Weston coach Kevin Fitzsimmons said. “He links the defense to the strikers. He picks up all the gaps, he receives the ball and even when he has pressure on him he’s able to turn away from it and play the ball.”

Weiss works the ball up and has been excellent this season feeding the strikers and scoring himself, becoming the SWC’s top scoring threat.

“Max Weiss is a game changer. Whatever foot the ball comes to, he’s bringing it down. Whatever foot he can shoot with, he will shoot with,” Fitzsimmons said. “He backs people up so well. He picks the ball up and he runs at you and people back away from him. He’s our all-around action man. He does everything correctly.”

With no CIAC tournaments last season and no formal SWC Tournament, Weston settled for winning the SWC South title by beating Barlow.

Weston won the 2018 SWC Tournament and was runner-up in 2019.

At the state level, the team has not won a CIAC crown since 2005, but will certainly be in contention for the Class M title this year.

The Trojans are currently the No. 9 team in Class M but could move up if they beat Barlow this week.

The top eight seeds are guaranteed home state playoff games through the quarterfinals.

Weiss played on the varsity as freshman and Hutton joined him sophomore year.

Since then, the two have spent countless hours together with the Trojans, playing for the same club team or just practicing on the side.

“We spend a lot of time together,” Hutton said. “During the offseason we play on the same team (SoccerViza). Every weekend we come to the fields and we play and practice. We have just built a great bond and connection.”

The time spent with each other leads to many unspoken connections on the field.

“We know each other’s strengths,” Weiss said. “He knows where I want it on the field, he sees the empty gaps and knows how to use them. We are great at combining because we know what the other one is going to be doing.”

Though much is unspoken, when it comes time, they speak up.

“We let each other know when we are doing the wrong stuff,” Hutton said. “If Weiss is holding onto the ball too long, I will tell him on the field ‘Weiss, move it quicker.’ When I’m not passing it quick enough, he tells me. We hold each other accountable.”

Part of what makes the two Maxes so good is recognizing the talent and experience around them with 13 seniors on the roster.

Weiss said the reason he has been able to score so many goals is because the field stays open with scor

ing threats at multiple positions.

And while he likes to put the ball in the back of the net, he loves seeing teammates doing it just as much.

“I am just trying to get people involved in the play,” Weiss said. “I want to make sure that we are properly spread and lots of guys are touching the ball. It’s all about spreading the wealth here.”

Weston not only has a strong starting 11 but brings players off the bench and does not miss a beat.

“It’s easy to pick out two good players but I like to think we have 22 good players who are all playing well together,” Fitzsimmons said. “Most of the senior class either have freshmen or sophomore experience. We are an experienced team because many of them have played so much time on varsity already the past two seasons. We are getting goals from all over the field.”

Hutton said while he mainly focusses on the defense, he is confident in every player on the field at any time whether they are starter or a sub.

“I captain the defense. I take care of the center backs and wing backs. We are really good in the back and have been solid there all year. I’m proud of my little section back there,” Hutton said. “The depth on this team is incredible. We knew coming into the season that we can bring anyone on and they will all show up and play well. Every game we have different people scoring. We have a lot of depth.”